Novel Pyrazole Derivatives and their use as Positive Allosteric Modulators of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel compounds of Formula (I), wherein M, P, X 1 , (A) m  and (B) n  are defined as in Formula (I); invention compounds are modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors—subtype 4 (“mGluR4”) which are useful for the treatment or prevention of central nervous system disorders as well as other disorders modulated by mGluR4 receptors. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions and the use of such compounds in the manufacture of medicaments, as well as to the use of such compounds for the prevention and treatment of such diseases in which mGluR4 is involved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel compounds of Formula (I), wherein M, P, X¹, X², (A)_(m) and (B)_(n) are defined as in Formula (I); invention compounds are modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors—subtype 4 (“mGluR4”) which are useful for the treatment or prevention of central nervous system disorders as well as other disorders modulated by mGluR4 receptors. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions and the use of such compounds in the manufacture of medicaments, as well as to the use of such compounds for the prevention and treatment of such diseases in which mGluR4 is involved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Glutamate is the major amino-acid transmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Glutamate plays a major role in numerous physiological functions, such as learning and memory but also sensory perception, development of synaptic plasticity, motor control, respiration and regulation of cardiovascular function. Furthermore, glutamate is at the center of several different neurological and psychiatric diseases, where there is an imbalance in glutamatergic neurotransmission.

Glutamate mediates synaptic neurotransmission through the activation of ionotropic glutamate receptor channels (iGluRs), namely the NMDA, AMPA and kainate receptors which are responsible for fast excitatory transmission (Nakanishi et al., (1998) Brain Res. Rev., 26:230-235).

In addition, glutamate activates metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) which have a more modulatory role that contributes to the fine-tuning of synaptic efficacy.

The mGluRs are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with seven-transmembrane spanning domains and belong to GPCR family 3 along with the calcium-sensing, GABAb and pheromone receptors.

The mGluR family is composed of eight members. They are classified into three groups (group I comprising mGluR1 and mGluR5; group II comprising mGluR2 and mGluR3; group III comprising mGluR4, mGluR6, mGluR7 and mGluR8) according to sequence homology, pharmacological profile and nature of intracellular signalling cascades activated (Schoepp et al., (1999) Neuropharmacology, 38:1431-1476).

Glutamate activates the mGluRs through binding to the large extracellular amino-terminal domain of the receptor, herein called the orthosteric binding site. This activation induces a conformational change of the receptor which results in the activation of the G-protein and intracellular signalling pathways.

In the central nervous system, mGluR4 receptors are expressed most intensely in the cerebellar cortex, basal ganglia, sensory relay nuclei of the thalamus and hippocampus (Bradley et al., (1999) Journal of Comparative Neurology, 407:33-46; Corti et al., (2002) Neuroscience, 110:403-420). The mGluR4 subtype is negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase via activation of the Gαi/o protein, is expressed primarily on presynaptic terminals, functioning as an autoreceptor or heteroceptor and activation of mGluR4 leads to decreases in transmitter release from presynaptic terminals (Corti et al., (2002) Neuroscience, 110:403-420; Millan et al., (2002) Journal of Biological Chemistry, 277:47796-47803; Valenti et al., (2003) Journal of Neuroscience, 23:7218-7226).

Orthosteric agonists of mGluR4 are not selective and activate the other Group III mGluRs (Schoepp et al., (1999) Neuropharmacology, 38:1431-1476). The Group III orthosteric agonist L-AP4 (L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate) was able to reduce motor deficits in animal models of Parkinson's disease (Valenti et al., (2003) J. Neurosci., 23:7218-7226) and decrease excitotoxicity (Bruno et al., (2000) J. Neurosci., 20; 6413-6420) and these effects appear to be mediated through mGluR4 (Marino et al., (2005) Curr. Topics Med. Chem., 5:885-895). In addition to L-AP4, ACPT-1, another selective group III mGluR agonist has been shown to caused a dose-and-structure dependant decrease in haloperidol-induced catalepsy and attenuated haloperidol-increased Proenkephalin mRNA expression in the striatum (Konieczny et al., (2007) Neuroscience, 145:611-620). Furthermore, Lopez et al. (2007, J. Neuroscience, 27:6701-6711) have shown that bilateral infusions of ACPT-I or L-AP4 into the globus pallidus fully reversed the severe akinetic deficits produced by 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in a reaction-time task without affecting the performance of controls. In addition, the reversal of haloperidol-induced catalepsy by intrapallidal ACPT-1 was prevented by concomitant administration of a selective group III receptor antagonist (RS)-alpha-cyclopropyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine. The opposite effects produced by group III mGluR activation in the SNr strongly suggest a role of mGluR4 rather than others mGluR receptor sub-types in normalizing basal ganglia activity (Lopez et al. 2007).

These results suggest that, among mGluR subtypes, mGluR4 is believed to be the most interesting novel drug target for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (for a review see Conn et al., (2005) Nature Review Neuroscience, 6:787-798).

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear to be due to an imbalance in the direct and indirect output pathways of the basal ganglia and reduction of transmission at the inhibitory GABAergic striato-pallidal synapse in the indirect pathway may result in alleviation of these symptoms (Marino et al., (2002) Amino Acids, 23:185-191).

mGluR4 is more abundant in striato-pallidal synapses than in striato-nigral synapses, and its localization suggests function as a presynaptic heteroreceptor on GABAergic neurons (Bradley et al., (1999) Journal of Comparative Neurology, 407:33-46) suggesting that selective activation or positive modulation of mGluR4 would decrease GABA release in this synapse thereby decreasing output of the indirect pathway and reducing or eliminating the Parkinson's disease symptoms. Classical treatment of Parkinsonism typically involves the use of levodopa combined with carbidopa (SINEMET™) or benserazide (MADOPAR™). Dopamine agonists such as bromocriptine (PARLODEL™), lisuride and pergolide (CELANCE™) act directly on dopamine receptors and are also used for the treatment of Parkinsonism. These molecules have the same side-effect profile as levodopa.

A new avenue for developing selective compounds acting at mGluRs is to identify molecules that act through allosteric mechanisms, modulating the receptor by binding to a site different from the highly conserved orthosteric binding site.

Positive allosteric modulators of mGluRs have emerged recently as novel pharmacological entities offering this attractive alternative. This type of molecule has been discovered for mGluR1, mGluR2, mGluR4, mGluR5, mGluR7 and mGluR8 (Knoflach F. et al. (2001) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 98:13402-13407; Johnson M. P. et al., (2002) Neuropharmacology, 43:799-808; O'Brien J. A. et al., (2003) Mol. Pharmacol., 64:731-740; Johnson M. P. et al., (2003) J. Med. Chem., 46:3189-3192; Marino M. J. et al., (2003) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 100:13668-13673; Mitsukawa K. et al., (2005) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 102(51):18712-18717; Wilson J. et al., (2005) Neuropharmacology, 49:278; for a review see Mutel V., (2002) Expert Opin. Ther. Patents, 12:1-8; Kew J. N., (2004) Pharmacol. Ther., 104(3):233-244; Johnson M. P. et al., (2004) Biochem. Soc. Trans., 32:881-887; recently Ritzen A., Mathiesen, J. M. and Thomsen C., (2005) Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol., 97:202-213).

In particular molecules have been described as mGluR4 positive allosteric modulators (Maj et al., (2003) Neuropharmacology, 45:895-906; Mathiesen et al., (2003) British Journal of Pharmacology, 138:1026-1030). It has been demonstrated that such molecules have been characterized in in vitro systems as well as in rat brain slices where they potentiated the effect of L-AP4 in inhibiting transmission at the striatopallidal synapse. These compounds do not activate the receptor by themselves (Marino et al., (2003) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 100:13668-13673). Rather, they enable the receptor to produce a maximal response to a concentration of glutamate or the Group III orthosteric agonist L-AP4 which by itself induces a minimal response.

PHCCC (N-phenyl-7-(hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxamide), a positive allosteric modulator of mGluR4 not active on other mGluRs (Maj et al., (2003) Neuropharmacology, 45:895-906), has been shown to be efficacious in animal models of Parkinson's disease thus representing a potential novel therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease as well as for other motor disorders and disturbances (Marino et al., (2003) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 100:13668-13673), neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (Marino et al., (2005) Curr. Topics Med. Chem., 5:885-895; Valenti et al., (2005) J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 313:1296-1304; Vernon et al., (2005) Eur. J. Neurosci., 22:1799-1806, Battaglia et al., (2006) J. Neurosci., 26:7222-7229), and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease or due to ischemic or traumatic insult (Maj et al., (2003) Neuropharmacology, 45:895-906).

PHCCC also has been shown to be active in an animal model of anxiety (Stachowicz et al., (2004) Eur. J. Pharmacol., 498:153-156). Previously, ACPT-1 has been shown to produce a dose-dependent anti-conflict effect after intrahippocampal administration and anti-depressant-like effects in rats after intracerebroventricular administration (Tatarczynska et al., (2002) Pol. J. Pharmacol., 54(6):707-710). More recently, ACPT-1 has also been shown to have anxiolytic-like effects in the stress-induced hyperthermia, in the elevated-plus maze in the mice and in the Vogel conflict test in the rats when injected intraperitoneally (Stachowicz et al., (2009) Neuropharmacology, 57(3): 227-234).

Activation of mGluR4 receptors which are expressed in α- and F-cells in the islets of Langerhans inhibits glucagon secretion. Molecules which activate or potentiate the agonist activity of these receptors may be an effective treatment for hyperglycemia, one of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes (Uehara et al., (2004) Diabetes, 53:998-1006).

The β-chemokine RANTES is importantly involved in neuronal inflammation and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis. Activation of Group III mGluRs with L-AP4 reduced the synthesis and release of RANTES in wild-type cultured astrocytes, whereas the ability of L-AP4 to inhibit RANTES was greatly decreased in astrocyte cultures from mGluR4 knockout mice (Besong et al., (2002) Journal of Neuroscience, 22:5403-5411). These data suggest that positive allosteric modulators of mGluR4 may be an effective treatment for neuroinflammatory disorders of the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis and related disorders.

Two different variants of the mGluR4 receptor are expressed in taste tissues and may function as receptors for the umami taste sensation (Monastyrskaia et al., (1999) Br. J Pharmacol., 128:1027-1034; Toyono et al., (2002) Arch. Histol. Cytol., 65:91-96). Thus positive allosteric modulators of mGluR4 may be useful as taste agents, flavour agents, flavour enhancing agents or food additives.

There is anatomical evidence that the majority of vagal afferents innervating gastric muscle express group III mGluRs (mGluR4, mGluR6, mGluR7 and mGluR8) and actively transport receptors to their peripheral endings (Page et al., (2005) Gastroenterology, 128:402-10). Recently, it was shown that the activation of peripheral group III mGluRs inhibited vagal afferents mechanosensitivity in vitro which translates into reduced triggering of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations and gastroesophageal reflux in vivo (Young et al., (2008) Neuropharmacol, 54:965-975). Labelling for mGluR4 and mGluR8 was abundant in gastric vagal afferents in the nodose ganglion, at their termination sites in the nucleus tractus solitarius and in gastric vagal motoneurons. These data suggest that positive allosteric modulators of mGluR4 may be an effective treatment for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and lower esophageal disorders and gastro-intestinal disorders.

International patent publication WO2005/007096 describes mGluR4 receptor positive allosteric modulator useful, alone or in combination with a neuroleptic agent, for treating or preventing movement disorders. However, none of the specifically disclosed compounds are structurally related to the compounds of the invention. Also, international patent publication WO2003/104223 describes the preparation of pyrazoles as p38α kinase, TNF and/or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, international patent publication WO2007/076473 shows the efficacy of substituted pyrimidinyloxy ureas as inhibitors of protein kinases and international patent publication WO98/56789 prepares pyrimidinyl azole as herbicides.

More recently, new mGluR4 receptor positive allosteric modulators have been described: pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives (Niswender et al., (2008) Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 18(20):5626-5630), functionalized benzylidene hydrazinyl-3-methylquinazoline and bis-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-one (Williams et al., (2009) Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 19:962-966) and heterobiarylamides (Engers et al, (2009) Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 52 (14), 4115-4118). Niswender et al., described (±)-cis-2-(3,5-dichlorophenylcarbamoyl)cyclohexane carboxylic acid (2008) Molecular Pharmacology, 74(5):1345-1358), as a positive allosteric modulator of mGluR4 also having agonist activity. This moderately active molecule has demonstrated evidence of efficacy following icy injection in rat models of Parkinson's disease. International patent publications WO2009/010454 and WO2009/010455 (UK patent application: GB2455111) have mentioned amido derivatives and novel heteroaromatic derivatives, respectively, as positive allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors. The subject of the latter case has been examined in the following article East Stephen P. et al., (2010) Expert Opin. Ther. Patents, 20 (3) 441-445. Finally, Williams R. et al., described in (2010) ACS Chemical Neuroscience, 1(6): 411-419, the “Re-exploration of the PHCCC scaffold”.

-   (i) International patent publication WO2008/058096 describes     1-azatricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]decane,     4-[[4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-thiazolyl]oxy] as ligand of nicotinic     acetylcholine receptors. -   (ii) International patent publication WO2008/001076 describes     6,6-dimethyl-2-(6-(6-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyridin-2-yloxy)-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-4(3H)-yl)-6,7-dihydrothiazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-4(5H)-one     as PI3 kinase inhibitors.

The present inventors have discovered novel pyrazole compounds of general Formula (I) which, surprisingly, show potent activity and selectivity on mGluR4 receptor. The compounds of the invention demonstrate advantageous properties over compounds of the prior art. Improvements have been observed in one or more of the following characteristics of the compounds of the invention: the potency on the target, the selectivity for the target, the bioavailability, the brain penetration, and the activity in behavioural models.

The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing a condition in a mammal, including a human, the treatment or prevention of which is affected or facilitated by the neuromodulatory effect of mGluR4 modulators. In the case of the treatment of movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, the compounds of the invention can be used alone or in combination with a dopaminergic agent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to compounds having metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 modulator activity. In its most general compound aspect, the present invention provides a compound according to Formula (I),

a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof and an N-oxide form thereof, wherein: X¹ and X² are each independently selected from the group of C, N, S and C═C representing a 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring which may further be substituted by radicals (A)_(m), and when X¹ is N, X² can not be C═C and when X² is N, X¹ can not be C═C; m is an integer ranging from 0 to 2; (A)_(m) radicals are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —OH, —NO₂, —CF₃, —SH, —NH₂ and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkynyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkenyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₃-C₈)cycloalkenyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR¹, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR¹, —NR¹(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR², —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NR¹—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)halo alkylene-OR¹, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-NR¹R², —(C₃-C₆)alkynylene-OR¹, —(C₃-C₆)alkynylene-NR¹R², —(C₃-C₆)alkenylene-OR¹, —(C₃-C₆)alkenyl ene-NR¹R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S—R¹, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R¹, —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R¹, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R¹, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹R², —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR¹R², —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹—S(═O)₂R², —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR¹—S(═O)₂R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²—S(═O)₂R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR¹R², —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹C(═O)—R², —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR¹C(═O)—R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²C(═O)—R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R¹, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R¹, —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR¹, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R¹ and —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R²; R¹, R² and R³ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; Any two radicals of R (R¹, R² or R³) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; n is an integer ranging from 1 to 2; (B)_(n) radicals are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —OH, —NO₂, —CF₃, —SH, —NH₂ and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkynyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkenyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₃-C₈)cycloalkenyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-hetero aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —NR⁴(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁵, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NR⁴—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-OR⁴, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —(C₃-C₆)alkynylene-OR⁴, —(C₃-C₆)alkynylene-NR⁴R⁵, —(C₃-C₆)alkenylene-OR⁴, —(C₃-C₆)alkenylene-NR⁴R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S—R⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴—S(═O)₂R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴—S(═O)₂R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵—S(═O)₂R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴C(═O)—R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴C(═O)—R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵C(═O)—R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR⁴, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴ and —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁵; R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-hetero aryl , aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; Any two radicals of R(R⁴, R⁵ or R⁶) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; M is selected from an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered ring selected from the group of aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic and cycloalkyl; P is selected from the group of a hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-R⁷, —(C₀-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁷R⁸, —(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁷, —(C₂-C₆)alkylene-SR⁷, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁷, —(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S(O)—R⁷, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)NR⁷R⁸, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁷C(═O)R⁸ and —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(O)₂—R⁷; R⁷ and R⁸ are selected from the group of a hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; with the proviso (i) that: M can not be an azaadamantanyl; with the proviso (ii) that: and

M can not be 3,4-Dihydro-2H-Benzo[b][1,4]Oxazine.

In a more preferred aspect of Formula (I), the invention provides a compound according to Formula (II):

a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof and an N-oxide form thereof, wherein: X² is selected from the group of C and N representing a 5 membered heteroaryl ring which may further be substituted by radical (A)_(m) where: m is an integer ranging from 0 to 1; (A)_(m) radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —OH, —CF₃, —SH, —NH₂ and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)halo alkyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkynyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkenyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₃-C₈)cycloalkenyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyano alkyl, aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-hetero aryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR¹, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR¹, —NR¹(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR², —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NR¹—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-OR¹, —(C₁-C₆)halo alkylene-NR¹R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S—R¹, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R¹, —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R¹, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R¹, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹R², —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR¹R², —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹—S(═O)₂R², —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR¹—S(═O)₂R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²—S(═O)₂R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR¹R², —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR C(═O)—R², —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR¹C(═O)—R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²C(═O)—R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R¹ and —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R²; R¹, R² and R³ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; Any two radicals of R (R¹, R² or R³) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; B radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —OH, —CF₃, —SH, —NH₂ and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkynyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkenyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₃-C₈)cycloalkenyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyano alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-hetero aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —NR⁴(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁵, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NR⁴—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-OR⁴, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S—R⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S—(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴—S(═O)₂R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴—S(═O)₂R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵—S(═O)₂R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴C(═O)—R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴C(═O)—R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵C(═O)—R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴ and —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁵; R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-hetero aryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; Any two radicals of R (R⁴, R⁵ or R⁶) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; and with the proviso (i) that: M can not be an azaadamantanyl.

In a more preferred aspect of Formula (II), the invention provides a compound according to Formula

a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof and an N-oxide form thereof, wherein: M is selected from an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered ring selected from the group of aryl, heteroaryl and cycloalkyl.

In a more preferred aspect of Formula (III), the invention provides a compound wherein:

A radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —CF₃, and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR¹, —NR¹(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR¹R² and —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R¹; R¹ and R² are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-hetero aryl, aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heterocycle, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; Any two radicals of R (R¹ or R²) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; B radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —CF₃ and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —NR¹(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁴R⁵ and —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴; R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-hetero aryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; and Any two radicals of R (R⁴ or R⁵) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring.

In a more preferred aspect of Formula (III), the invention provides a compound wherein:

A radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen and —CN; B radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CF₃ and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, and —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴; and R⁴ is —(C₁-C₆)alkyl.

In a more preferred aspect of Formula (I), the invention provides a compound according to Formula (IV):

a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof and an N-oxide form thereof.

In a more preferred aspect of Formula (IV), the invention provides a compound wherein:

B radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, —CF₃ and an optionally substituted radical —(C₁-C₆)alkyl; and M is selected from an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered ring selected from the group of aryl and heteroaryl.

In a more preferred aspect of Formula (I), the invention provides a compound according to Formula (V):

a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof and an N-oxide form thereof, wherein: X¹ is selected from the group of C and N, which may further be substituted by radicals (A)_(m) where: m is an integer ranging from 0 to 1; (A)_(m) radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —CF₃, and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR¹, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)halo alkyl-OR¹, —(C₁-C₆)halo alkyl-NR¹R², —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹C(═O)—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R¹, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR¹ and —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R¹; R¹, R² and R³ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-hetero aryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; Any two radicals of R (R¹, R² or R³) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; B radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —CF₃, and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyano alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —NR⁴(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁵, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NR⁴—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-OR⁴, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR⁴, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁴R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴ and —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁵; R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, hetero aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-hetero aryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; and Any two radicals of R(R⁴, R⁵ or R⁶) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring.

Particular preferred compounds of the invention are compounds as mentioned in the following list (List of Particular Preferred Compounds), as well as a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof and an N-oxide form thereof:

-   3-(3-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-phenoxy-1,2,4-thiadiazole -   5-(Pyridin-2-yloxy)-3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole -   5-(6-Chloropyridin-2-yloxy)-3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole -   4-(5-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)thiazole -   2-(2,6-Difluorophenoxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole -   4-(1H-Pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole -   2-(6-Chloropyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole -   2-(3-Fluoropyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole -   1-(4-(2-(6-Methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)ethanone -   2-(6-Methylpyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole -   4-(3-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole -   2-(6-Chloropyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole -   2-(Pyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole -   2-(Cyclohexyloxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole -   2-(2,4-Difluorophenoxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole -   2-(6-Methylpyrazin-2-yloxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole -   1-(4-(2-(2,4-Difluorophenoxy)thiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)ethanone -   2-(5-Fluoropyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole -   5-Chloro-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole -   4-(1H-Pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole-5-carbonitrile and -   2-(6-Chloropyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole-5-carbonitrile.

The disclosed compounds also include all pharmaceutically acceptable isotopic variations, in which at least one atom is replaced by an atom having the same atomic number, but an atomic mass different from the atomic mass usually found in nature. Examples of isotopes suitable for inclusion in the disclosed compounds include, without limitation, isotopes of hydrogen, such as ²H and ³H; isotopes of carbon, such as ¹³C and ¹⁴C; isotopes of nitrogen, such as ¹⁵N; isotopes of oxygen, such as ¹⁷O and ¹⁸O; isotopes of phosphorus, such as ³²P and ³³P; isotopes of sulfur, such as ³⁵S; isotopes of fluorine, such as ¹⁸F; and isotopes of chlorine, such as ³⁶Cl. Use of isotopic variations (e.g., deuterium, ²H) may afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greater metabolic stability, for example, increased in vivo half-life or reduced dosage requirements. Additionally, certain isotopic variations of the disclosed compounds may incorporate a radioactive isotope (e.g., tritium, ³H, or ¹⁴C), which may be useful in drug and/or substrate tissue distribution studies. Substitution with positron emitting isotopes, such as ¹¹C, ¹⁸F, ¹⁵O and ¹³N, can be useful in Positron Emission Topography (PET) studies for examining substrate receptor occupancy. Isotopically-labelled compounds of Formula (I) can generally be prepared by conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art or by processes analogous to those described in the accompanying Examples using appropriate isotopically-labeled reagents in place of the non-labeled reagent previously employed.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Listed below are definitions of various terms used in the specification and claims to describe the present invention.

For the avoidance of doubt it is to be understood that in this specification “(C₁-C₆)” means a carbon radical having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms. “(C₀-C₆)” means a carbon radical having 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms. In this specification “C” means a carbon atom, “N” means a nitrogen atom, “N” means an oxygen atom and “S” means a sulphur atom.

In the case where a subscript is the integer 0 (zero) the radical to which the subscript refers, indicates that the radical is absent, i.e. there is a direct bond between the radicals.

In the case where a subscript is the integer 0 (zero) and the radical to which the subscript refers is alkyl, this indicates the radical is a hydrogen atom.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “bond” refers to a saturated covalent bond. When two or more bonds are adjacent to one another, they are assumed to be equal to one bond. For example, a radical -A-B—, wherein both A and B may be a bond, the radical is depicting a single bond.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “alkyl” includes both straight and branched chain alkyl radicals and may be methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, i-pentyl, t-pentyl, neo-pentyl, n-hexyl, i-hexyl or t-hexyl. The term “(C₀-C₃)alkyl” refers to an alkyl radical having 0, 1, 2 or 3 carbon atoms and may be methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and i-propyl.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “alkylene” includes both straight and branched difunctional saturated hydrocarbon radicals and may be methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, i-propylene, n-butylene, i-butylene, s-butylene, t-butylene, n-pentylene, i-pentylene, t-pentylene, neo-pentylene, n-hexylene, i-hexylene or t-hexylene.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “cycloalkyl” refers to an optionally substituted carbocycle containing no heteroatoms, including mono-, bi-, and tricyclic saturated carbocycles, as well as fused ring systems. Such fused ring systems can include one ring that is partially or fully unsaturated such as a benzene ring to form fused ring systems such as benzo-fused carbocycles. Cycloalkyl includes such fused ring systems as spirofused ring systems. Examples of cycloalkyl include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, decahydronaphthalene, adamantane, indanyl, fluorenyl and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and the like. The term “(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl” may be cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and the like.

The term “aryl” refers to an optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic hydrocarbon ring system containing at least one unsaturated aromatic ring. Examples and suitable values of the term “aryl” are phenyl, naphthyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, indyl, indenyl and the like.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “heteroaryl” refers to an optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic unsaturated, aromatic ring system containing at least one heteroatom selected independently from N, O or S. Examples of “heteroaryl” may be, but are not limited to thienyl, pyridinyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, triazolyl, imidazolyl, triazinyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolonyl, oxazolonyl, thiazolonyl, tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl, benzoimidazolyl, benzooxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, tetrahydrotriazolopyridinyl, tetrahydrotriazolopyrimidinyl, benzofuryl, benzothiophenyl, thionaphthyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, pyridonyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, quinolyl, phtalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolyl, imidazopyridinyl, oxazolopyridinyl, thiazolopyridinyl, imidazopyridazinyl, oxazolopyridazinyl, thiazolopyridazinyl, cynnolyl, pteridinyl, furazanyl, benzotriazolyl, pyrazolopyridinyl and purinyl.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “alkylene-aryl”, “alkylene-heteroaryl” and “alkylene-cycloalkyl” refers respectively to a substituent that is attached via the alkyl radical to an aryl, heteroaryl or cycloalkyl radical, respectively. The term “(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl” includes aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl radicals such as benzyl, 1-phenylethyl, 2-phenylethyl, 1-phenylpropyl, 2-phenylpropyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 1-naphthylmethyl and 2-naphthylmethyl. The term “(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl” includes heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyl radicals, wherein examples of heteroaryl are the same as those illustrated in the above definition, such as 2-furylmethyl, 3-furylmethyl, 2-thienylmethyl, 3-thienylmethyl, 1-imidazolylmethyl, 2-imidazolylmethyl, 3-imidazolylmethyl, 2-oxazolylmethyl, 3-oxazolylmethyl, 2-thiazolylmethyl, 3-thiazolylmethyl, 2-pyridinylmethyl, 3-pyridinylmethyl, 4-pyridinylmethyl, 1-quinolylmethyl or the like.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “heterocycle” refers to an optionally substituted, monocyclic or bicyclic saturated, partially saturated or unsaturated ring system containing at least one heteroatom selected independently from N, O and S.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, a 5- or 6-membered ring containing one or more atoms independently selected from C, N, O and S, includes aromatic and heteroaromatic rings as well as carbocyclic and heterocyclic rings which may be saturated or unsaturated. Examples of such rings may be, but are not limited to, furyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, triazolyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, piperidyl, piperidonyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, oxazolidinonyl, thiomorpholinyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, phenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexenyl and cyclopentenyl.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, a 3- to 10-membered ring containing one or more atoms independently selected from C, N, O and S, includes aromatic and heteroaromatic rings as well as carbocyclic and heterocyclic rings which may be saturated or unsaturated. Examples of such rings may be, but are not limited to imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, piperidyl, piperidonyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thiomorpholinyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, dihydropyrrolyl isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoindolinonyl, dihydropyrrolo[1,2-b]pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, oxazolidinonyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridinyl, tetrahydropyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, phenyl, cyclopropyl, aziridinyl, cyclobutyl, azetidinyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptyl, cycloheptenyl, cyclooctyl and cyclooctenyl.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “halo” or “halogen” may be fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “haloalkyl” means an alkyl radical as defined above, substituted with one or more halo radicals. The term “(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl” may include, but is not limited to, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, fluoroethyl and difluoroethyl. The term “O—C₁-C₆-haloalkyl” may include, but is not limited to, fluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy and fluoroethoxy.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “haloalkylene” means an alkylene radical as defined above, substituted with one or more halo radicals. The term “(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene” may include, but is not limited to, fluoromethylene, difluoromethylene, fluoroethylene and difluoroethylene. The term “O—C₁-C₆-haloalkylene” may include, but is not limited to, fluoromethylenoxy, difluoromethylenoxy and fluoroethylenoxy.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “cyanoalkyl” means an alkyl radical as defined above, substituted with one or more cyano.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “optionally substituted” refers to radicals further bearing one or more substituents which may be, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, hydroxy, (C₁-C₆)alkylene-oxy, mercapto, aryl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, (C₁-C₆)alkylene-heterocycle, (C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, halogen, trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, cyano, cyanomethyl, nitro, amino, amido, amidinyl, carboxyl, carboxamide, (C₁-C₆)alkylene-oxycarbonyl, carbamate, sulfonamide, ester and sulfonyl.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “solvate” refers to a complex of variable stoichiometry formed by a solute (e.g. a compound of Formula (I)) and a solvent. The solvent is a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent as preferably water; such solvent may not interfere with the biological activity of the solute.

In this specification, unless stated otherwise, the term “positive allosteric modulator of mGluR4” or “allosteric modulator of mGluR4” refers also to a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof and an N-oxide form thereof.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Allosteric modulators of mGluR4 described herein, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and hydrates thereof can be used in pharmaceutical preparations in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include inert solid fillers or diluents and sterile aqueous or organic solutions. The allosteric modulators of mGluR4 will be present in such pharmaceutical compositions in amounts sufficient to provide the desired dosage amount in the range described herein. Techniques for formulation and administration of the compounds of the instant invention can be found in Remington: the Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 19^(th) edition, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. (1995).

The amount of allosteric modulators of mGluR4, administered to the subject will depend on the type and severity of the disease or condition and on the characteristics of the subject, such as general health, age, sex, body weight and tolerance to drugs. The skilled artisan will be able to determine appropriate dosages depending on these and other factors. Effective dosages for commonly used CNS drugs are well known to the skilled person. The total daily dose usually ranges from about 0.05-2000 mg.

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions which provide from about 0.01 to 1000 mg of the active ingredient per unit dose. The compositions may be administered by any suitable route. For example orally in the form of capsules and the like, parenterally in the form of solutions for injection, topically in the form of onguents or lotions, ocularly in the form of eye-drops, rectally in the form of suppositories, intranasally or transcutaneously in the form of delivery system like patches.

For oral administration, the allosteric modulators of mGluR4 thereof can be combined with a suitable solid or liquid carrier or diluent to form capsules, tablets, pills, powders, syrups, solutions, suspensions and the like.

The tablets, pills, capsules, and the like contain from about 0.01 to about 99 weight percent of the active ingredient and a binder such as gum tragacanth, acacias, corn starch or gelatin; excipients such as dicalcium phosphate; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid, a lubricant such as magnesium stearate; and a sweetening agent such as sucrose, lactose or saccharin. When a dosage unit form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier such as a fatty oil.

Various other materials may be present as coatings or to modify the physical form of the dosage unit. For instance, tablets may be coated with shellac, sugar or both. A syrup or elixir may contain, in addition to the active ingredient, sucrose as a sweetening agent, methyl and propylparabens as preservatives, a dye and a flavoring such as cherry or orange flavor.

For parenteral administration the disclosed allosteric modulators of mGluR4 can be combined with sterile aqueous or organic media to form injectable solutions or suspensions. For example, solutions in sesame or peanut oil, aqueous propylene glycol and the like can be used, as well as aqueous solutions of water-soluble pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of the compounds. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols and mixtures thereof in oils. Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

In addition, to the formulations described previously, the compounds may also be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long acting formulations may be administered by implantation, for example, subcutaneously or intramuscularly or by intramuscular injection. Thus, for example, as an emulsion in an acceptable oil, or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as sparingly soluble salts.

Preferably disclosed allosteric modulators of mGluR4 or pharmaceutical formulations containing these compounds are in unit dosage form for administration to a mammal. The unit dosage form can be any unit dosage form known in the art including, for example, a capsule, an IV bag, a tablet, or a vial. The quantity of active ingredient in a unit dose of composition is an effective amount and may be varied according to the particular treatment involved. It may be appreciated that it may be necessary to make routine variations to the dosage depending on the age and condition of the patient. The dosage will also depend on the route of administration which may be by a variety of routes including oral, aerosol, rectal, transdermal, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal and intranasal.

Methods of Synthesis

The compounds according to the invention, in particular the compounds according to the Formula (I), may be prepared by methods known in the art of organic synthesis as set forth in part by the following synthesis schemes. In all of the schemes described below, it is well understood that protecting groups for sensitive or reactive groups are employed where necessary in accordance with general principles of chemistry. Protecting groups are manipulated according to standard methods of organic synthesis (Green T. W. and Wuts P. G. M., (1991) Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons). These groups are removed at a convenient stage of the compound synthesis using methods that are readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The selection of process as well as the reaction conditions and order of their execution shall be consistent with the preparation of compounds of Formula (I).

The compounds according to the invention may be represented as a mixture of enantiomers, which may be resolved into the individual pure R- or S-enantiomers. If for instance, a particular enantiomer is required, it may be prepared by asymmetric synthesis or by derivation with a chiral auxiliary, where the resulting diastereomeric mixture is separated and the auxiliary group cleaved to provide the pure desired enantiomers. Alternatively, where the molecule contains a basic functional group such as an amino or an acidic functional group such as carboxyl, this resolution may be conveniently performed by fractional crystallization from various solvents as the salts of an optical active acid or by other methods known in the literature (e.g. chiral column chromatography).

Resolution of the final product, an intermediate or a starting material may be performed by any suitable method known in the art (Eliel E. L., Wilen S. H. and Wilder L. N., (1984) Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds, Wiley-Interscience).

Many of the heterocyclic compounds of the invention can be prepared using synthetic routes well known in the art (Katrizky A. R. and Rees C. W., (1984) Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry, Pergamon Press).

The product from the reaction can be isolated and purified employing standard techniques, such as extraction, chromatography, crystallization and distillation.

The compounds of the invention may be prepared by general route of synthesis as disclosed in the following methods.

In one embodiment of the present invention compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared according to the synthetic sequences illustrated in Scheme 1. Pyrazole g1 can be protected (PG: protecting group), for example by p-methoxybenzyl using standard conditions. Then amidine g4 can be synthesized from ester g2 treated with aluminium chloride in the presence of ammonium chloride. The subsequent cyclization reaction between amidine g4 and trichloromethyl hypochlorothioite g3 may be performed in the presence of sodium hydroxide. The resulting chlorothiadiazole g5 can be substituted by alcohol such as MOH in the presence of a base such as silver carbonate and then be deprotected in the presence of TFA when PG is p-methoxybenzyl. Finally, compound g7 can be alkylated, acylated or sulfonylated using conditions well known for people skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared according to the synthetic sequences illustrated in Scheme 2. Hydrolysis of ester g2 and formation of the bromoketone g9, was carried out via the acid chloride and consequently the diazoketone. Substitution of bromide by thiocyanate can furnish compound g10 which can be cyclized under acidic conditions to yield hydroxythiazole g11. Compound g11 can be coupled to a ring such as MX, in the presence of copper and a base such as cesium carbonate, and then be deprotected in the presence of TFA when PG is p-methoxybenzyl. Finally, compound g13 can be alkylated, acylated or sulfonylated using conditions well known for people skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared according to the synthetic sequences illustrated in Scheme 3. Dibromothiazole g16 can be monosubstituted by MOH, in the presence of a base such as silver carbonate or potassium carbonate to yield g17, which can be subjected to Suzuki coupling with the protected pyrazole g15. Standard deprotection under acidic conditions, when PG is p-methoxybenzyl can lead to compound g13 which can finally be alkylated, acylated or sulfonylated using conditions well known for people skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared according to the synthetic sequences illustrated in Scheme 4. Suzuki coupling, as described above, can also be done with non protected boronic esters or acids g14, to yield compound g13 which can finally be alkylated, acylated or sulfonylated using conditions well known for people skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared according to Scheme 5. The carboxylic acid moiety g18 was treated with oxalyl chloride and then with N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride to yield the Weinreb amide g19. After iodination, in the presence of iodine, the resulting compound g21 can be coupled using Suzuki coupling conditions with boronic esters or acids g20 to yield ether g22. Weinreb amide g22 can undergo a Grignard reaction addition to yield ketone g23. The final product g24 can be easily obtained by deprotection of the pyrazole in the presence of TFA, and can be alkylated, acylated or sulfonylated using conditions well known for people skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared according to the synthetic sequences illustrated in Scheme 6. Bromoketone g26, as described above, can be subjected to the cyclisation in the presence of thiourea to yield aminothiazole g27 which can be chlorinated in the presence of NCS to yield compound g28. The resulting 2-aminothiazole g28 can be transformed into 2-bromothiazole g29 using standard Sandmeyer conditions. g29 is subsequently coupled to MOH via substitution and finally deprotected under classical conditions to yield g31 which can be alkylated, acylated or sulfonylated using conditions well known for people skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared according to the synthetic sequences illustrated in Scheme 7. Ester g32 can be subjected to the addition of (cyanomethyl)lithium in order to afford 1,3-cyanocarbonyl compound g33 which can undergo easy bromination, in to presence of cupric bromide. Cyclisation may be performed with thiourea and the resulting 2-aminothiazole g35 can be transformed into 2-bromothiazole g36 using standard Sandmeyer conditions. After substitution of g36 by MOH under basic conditions, g37 is subsequently deprotected under classical conditions to yield g38 which can be alkylated, acylated or sulfonylated using conditions well known for people skilled in the art.

EXPERIMENTAL

Unless otherwise noted, all starting materials were obtained from commercial suppliers and used without further purification.

Specifically, the following abbreviations may be used in the examples and throughout the specification.

Ag₂O (Silver monoxide) μL (Microliters) BuLi (Butyl lithium) mL (Milliliters) tert-BuONO (tert-Butylnitrite) mmol (Millimoles) CHCl₃ (Chloroform) M.p. (Melting point) CuBr₂ (Copper (II) bromide) NCS (N-Chlorosuccinimide) DCM (Dichloromethane) NH₃ (Ammonia) DMF (Dimethylformamide) NH₄Cl (Ammonium chloride) EtOAc (Ethyl acetate) NaHCO₃ (Sodium hydrogenocarbonate) EtOH (Ethanol) NaOH (Sodium hydroxide) Et₂O (Diethyl ether) Na₂CO₃ (Sodium carbonate) Et₃N (Triethylamine) Na₂SO₃ (Sodium sulfite) HBr (Hydrobromic acid) Na₂SO₄ (Sodium sulfate) HCl (Hydrochloric acid) PE (Petroleum ether) I₂ (Iodine) PdCl₂(dppf) (1,1′- bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene palladium(II) chloride) K₂CO₃ (Potassium carbonate) PMBCl (p-Methoxybenzylchloride) LCMS (Liquid RT (Retention Time) Chromatography Mass Spectrum) M (Molar) TFA (Trifluoroacetic acid) MeOH (Methanol) THF (Tetrahydrofuran) mg (Milligrams) TMSCHN₂ (Trimethylsilyldiazomethane) MgSO₄ (Magnesium sulfate) UPLC-MS (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrum)

All references to brine refer to a saturated aqueous solution of NaCl. Unless otherwise indicated, all temperatures are expressed in ° C. (degrees Centigrade). All reactions are conducted not under an inert atmosphere at room temperature unless otherwise noted.

Most of the reactions were monitored by thin-layer chromatography on 0.25 mm Merck silica gel plates (60E-254), visualized with UV light. Flash column chromatography was performed on prepacked silica gel cartridges (15-40 μM, Merck).

Melting point determination was performed on a Buchi B-540 apparatus.

LC-MS and HPLC-MS Methods: LC-MS Methods

a) Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on an Zorbax SB-C18 cartridge (1.8 μm, 4.6×30 mm) from Agilent, with a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min. The gradient conditions used are: 90% A (water+0.05% of formic acid), 10% B (acetonitrile+0.05% of formic acid) to 100% B at 3.5 minutes, kept till 3.7 minutes and equilibrated to initial conditions at 3.8 minutes until 4.5 minutes. Injection volume 5-20 μL. ES MS detector was used, acquiring both in positive and negative ionization modes. Cone voltage was 30 V for both positive and negative ionization modes.

b) LC-MS were recorded on Agilent 1200 RRLC equipped with 6110 MSD with the following conditions: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on Zorbax SB-C18 analytical column (5 μm, 2.1×50 mm) from Agilent, with a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The gradient conditions used are: 90% A (water+0.1% of trifluoroacetic acid), 10% B (acetonitrile+0.05% of trifluoroacetic acid) to 100% B at 3.5 minutes, kept till 4.0 minutes and equilibrated to initial conditions at 4.01 minutes until 4.5 minutes. Injection volume 2-5 μL. ES MS detector was used, acquiring in positive ionization mode.

UPLC-MS Method

UPLC-MS were recorded on Waters ACQUITY UPLC with the following conditions: Reversed phase HPLC was carried out on BEH-C18 cartridge (1.7 μm, 2.1×50 mm) from Waters, with a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. The gradient conditions used are: 90% A (water+0.1% of formic acid), 10% B (acetonitrile+0.1% of formic acid) to 100% B at 1.3 minutes, kept till 1.6 minutes and equilibrated to initial conditions at 1.7 minutes until 2.0 minutes. Injection volume 5 μL. ES MS detector was used, acquiring both in positive and negative ionization modes.

All mass spectra were taken under electrospray ionisation (ESI) methods.

Preparative HPLC was conducted using a Gilson GX-281 preparative HPLC (322 Binary Gradient Module, 156 UV/Visible detector GX-281 injector/fraction collector) Phenomenex Synergi Max-Rp (C₁₂, 30×150 mm, 4 μm) or Kromasil Eternity (C₁₈, 30×150 mm, 5 μm) columns and H₂O+0.1% TFA and CH₃CN as eluents. Gradients used cover the range from 0% CH₃CN to 100% CH₃CN.

¹H-NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker Avance (400 MHz, 300 MHz) or Varian 400 MHz spectrometer. Chemical shifts are expressed in parts per million (ppm, δ units). Coupling constants are in units of hertz (Hz) Splitting patterns describe apparent multiplicities and are designated as s (singlet), d (doublet), t (triplet), q (quadruplet), m (multiplet), br (broad).

EXAMPLES Example 1 5-(Pyridin-2-yloxy)-3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole (Final Compound 1.2) Ethyl 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate

According to Scheme 1, Step 1: K₂CO₃ (11.5 mmol, 1.59 g) was added to a solution of ethyl 5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (7.69 mmol, 1.60 g) in acetonitrile (24 mL) followed by 1-(chloromethyl)-4-methoxybenzene (8.46 mmol, 1.15 mL) and the reaction mixture was heated under reflux for 4.5 hours. After evaporation of the solvent, the reaction mixture was diluted with brine and EtOAc. The aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was concentrated under reduced pressure to yield ethyl 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (7.68 mmol, 2.52 g, 100%) as an oil.

UPLC-MS: RT=0.56 min; MS m/z ES⁺=329.

1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboximidamide

According to Scheme 1, Step 2: Trimethylaluminium, 2M solution in heptane (198 mmol, 99 mL), was added dropwise to a suspension of NH₄Cl (198 mmol, 10.6 g) in dry toluene (150 mL), under an argon atmosphere, at −5° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature until no more evolution of gas was observed. After addition of a mixture of ethyl 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (19.8 mmol, 6.50 g) in toluene (25 mL) at 0° C., the reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled down to 0° C. and MeOH (200 mL) was added with consequent stirring for 1 hour at room temperature. After filtration and concentration of the solvent, the residue was purified by flash chromotagraphy over silica gel using CHCl₃/MeOH (80:20) as eluent to yield 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboximidamide (18.8 mmol, 5.6 g, 95%) as a white solid.

5-Chloro-3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole

According to Scheme 1, Step 3: NaOH (3.94 mmol, 158 mg) in water (4 mL) was added dropwise, at −5° C., to a solution of 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboximidamide (1.68 mmol, 500 mg) and trichloromethyl hypochlorothioite (1.68 mmol, 183 μL) in DCM (6 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at 0° C. and then 3 days at room temperature. After dilution with water, a saturated solution of Na₂CO₃ and DCM, the aqueous phase was extracted with DCM. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was evaporated. The resulting crude product was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using cyclohexane/EtOAc (90:10) as eluent to yield 5-chloro-3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole (0.43 mmol, 160 mg, 25%) as a yellow oil.

UPLC-MS: RT=1.21 min; MS m/z ES⁺=375.

3-(1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-(pyridin-2-yloxy)-1,2,4-thiadiazole

According to Scheme 1, Step 4: Pyridin-2-ol (0.32 mmol, 30.5 mg) and silver carbonate (0.38 mmol, 106 mg) were added to a solution of 5-chloro-3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole (0.32 mmol, 120 mg) in acetonitrile (2 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 45 minutes at 180° C. After filtration through celite and evaporation of the solvent, the resulting crude product was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using cyclohexane/EtOAc (90:10) as eluent to yield 3-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-(pyridin-2-yloxy)-1,2,4-thiadiazole (0.15 mmol, 65 mg, 47%) as a yellow oil.

UPLC-MS: RT=1.21 min; MS m/z ES⁺=434.

5-(Pyridin-2-yloxy)-3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole

According to Scheme 1, Step 5: Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (1.80 mmol, 0.17 mL) was added to a solution of 3-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-(pyridin-2-yloxy)-1,2,4-thiadiazole (0.15 mmol, 65 mg) in TFA (4 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 8 minutes at 80° C. The crude residue was neutralized with a saturated solution of Na₂CO₃ and the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was concentrated. The crude residue was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using DCM/MeOH (98:2 to 95:5) as eluent to yield after evaporation 5-(pyridin-2-yloxy)-3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole (43 μmol, 14 mg, 29%) as a yellow solid.

M.p.: 245-247° C.;

UPLC-MS: RT=0.91 min; MS m/z ES⁺=314;

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 8.60 (s, 1H), 8.53-8.50 (dd, 1H), 8.19-8.12 (m, 1H), 7.59-7.53 (d, 1H), 7.52-7.44 (m, 1H).

Example 2 4-(5-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)thiazole (Final Compound 1.4) 1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid

According to Scheme 2, Step 1: A solution of NaOH 3 M (108 mmol, 35.8 mL) was added slowly, at 0° C., to a solution of ethyl 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (43 mmol, 11.8 g) in MeOH (108 mL) and the reaction mixture was heated at 50° C. for 2 hours. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue was partitioned between a NaOH 1 M solution and Et₂O. The organic layer was washed with a NaOH 1 M solution. The aqueous layer was acidified to pH=1-2 with a HCl 1 M solution and the aqueous phase was extracted with DCM. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, was filtered and was concentrated under reduced pressure to yield 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (37.8 mmol, 9.30 g, 88%) as a beige solid. The crude product was used without any purification.

UPLC-MS: RT=0.70 min; MS m/z ES⁺=247.

2-Bromo-1-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)ethanone

According to Scheme 2, Step 2: To a solution of 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid (37.8 mmol, 9.30 g) and five drops of DMF in DCM (94 mL) was added oxalyl chloride (76 mmol, 6.66 mL) dropwise, at 0° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to room temperature and was stirred for 3 hours. After concentration, the residue was treated with toluene and was co-evaporated to dryness to yield 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl chloride. To a solution of 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonyl chloride (37.8 mmol) in acetonitrile (94 mL) was added a solution of TMSCHN₂ (41.5 mmol, 83.0 mL) dropwise, at 0° C., and then the reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to room temperature and was stirred overnight. After cooling the reaction mixture to −10° C., HBr 48% (14.8 mL) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at −10° C. At 0° C., 10% NaOH solution was added to the reaction mixture to reach pH=7. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and EtOAc and the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was concentrated under reduced pressure to yield 2-bromo-1-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)ethanone (30.6 mmol, 9.90 g, 81%) which was used without any purification.

UPLC-MS: RT=0.86 min; MS m/z ES⁺=323, 325.

1-(1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-thiocyanatoethanone

According to Scheme 2, Step 3: To a solution of 2-bromo-1-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)ethanone (9.28 mmol, 3.00 g) in acetone (19 mL) was added potassium thiocyanate (9.28 mmol, 0.90 g) and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. Then, the reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc and the organic phase was washed with water. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was concentrated. The crude residue was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using cyclohexane/EtOAc (80:20 to 50:50) as eluent to yield 1-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-thiocyanatoethanone (6.57 mmol, 1.98 g, 71%).

UPLC-MS: RT=0.88 min; MS m/z ES⁺=302.

4-(1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazol-2-ol

According to Scheme 2, Step 4: To a solution of 1-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-thiocyanatoethanone (6.57 mmol, 1.98 g) in EtOH was added HCl concentrated (1 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred under reflux for 8 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was diluted with water. The aqueous phase was basified with NaOH and was extracted with DCM. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was evaporated. The crude residue was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using DCM/EtOH/NH₃ (100:0:0 to 95:4.5:0.5) as eluent to yield 4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazol-2-ol (3.42 mmol, 1.03 g, 52%).

UPLC-MS: RT=0.76 min; MS m/z ES⁺=302.

4-(1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)thiazole

According to Scheme 2, Step 5: A mixture of 4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazol-2-ol (0.99 mmol, 300 mg), 2-chloropyrimidine (0.99 mmol, 114 mg), copper (0.20 mmol, 12.6 mg) and cesium carbonate (2.99 mmol, 973 mg) in DMF (3.3 mL) was stirred at 160° C. under microwave conditions for 45 minutes. Then, the reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc and was washed with water. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was evaporated. The crude mixture was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using cyclohexane/EtOAc (80:20 to 60:40) as eluent to yield 4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)thiazole (0.18 mmol, 67 mg, 18%) as a yellow oil.

UPLC-MS: RT=0.92 min; MS m/z ES⁺=380.

4-(5-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)thiazole

According to Scheme 2, Step 6: To a solution of 4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)thiazole (0.18 mmol, 67 mg) in TFA (1.8 mL) was added trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (1.77 mmol, 156 μl). The reaction mixture was stirred for 8 minutes at 80° C. under microwave conditions. The crude mixture was quenched with water and the aqueous phase was extracted with DCM. The organic layer was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was evaporated to dryness. The crude residue was purified by preparative TLC using DCM/EtOH/NH₃ (100:0:0 to 93:6.7:0.3) as eluent to yield 4-(5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)thiazole (12 μmol, 3.2 mg, 7%) as a beige solid.

M.p.: 177° C.;

UPLC-MS: RT=0.60 min; MS m/z ES⁺=260;

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, MeOD): 8.78 (d, J=5.0 Hz, 2H), 7.85 (s, 1H), 7.45-7.35 (m, 1H), 7.15 (s, 1H), 2.48 (s, 3H).

Example 3 4-(1H-Pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole (Final Compound 1.6) 1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole

According to Scheme 3, Step 1: The compound was synthesized with the same procedure as used in Example 1, Step 1 (23.8 mmol, 7.47 g, 91%).

UPLC-MS: RT=1.02 min; MS m/z ES⁺=315.

2-(4-Bromothiazol-2-yloxy)pyridine

According to Scheme 3, Step 2: Pyridin-2-ol (4.12 mmol, 0.39 g) and then silver carbonate (4.94 mmol, 1.36 g) were added to a solution of 2,4-dibromothiazole (4.12 mmol, 1.00 g) in DMF (18 mL) and the reaction mixture was heated at 140° C. overnight. After evaporation of the solvent, the reaction mixture was dissolved in DCM and was filtered through celite. The organic phase was washed with water, was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was concentrated under reduced pressure to yield 2-(4-bromothiazol-2-yloxy)pyridine (1.56 mmol, 400 mg, 34%).

UPLC-MS: RT=0.97 min; MS m/z ES⁺=257, 259.

2-(4-(1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazol-2-yloxy)pyridine

According to Scheme 3, Step 3: A mixture of 2-(4-bromothiazol-2-yloxy)pyridine (1.56 mmol, 400 mg), 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole (1.87 mmol, 587 mg), PdCl₂(dppf) (0.16 mmol, 127 mg) and N-ethyl-N-isopropylpropan-2-amine (3.11 mmol, 0.53 mL) in dioxane/water (1:1, 10 mL) was stirred at 150° C. for 1 hour under microwave conditions. The reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of celite and was washed with DCM. The organic phase was washed with water, was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude mixture was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using cyclohexane/EtOAc (90:10 to 70:30) as eluent to yield 2-(4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazol-2-yloxy)pyridine (0.23 mmol, 83 mg, 9%) as an oil.

UPLC-MS: RT=1.02 min; MS m/z ES⁺=365.

4-(1H-Pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole

According to Scheme 3, Step 4: The compound was synthesized with the same procedure as used in Example 2, Step 6 and was obtained as a beige solid (70 μmol, 17 mg, 31%).

M.p.: 151-152° C.;

UPLC-MS: RT=0.71 min; MS m/z ES⁺=245;

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 8.37-8.35 (m, 1H), 8.05-7.99 (m, 2H), 7.37-7.32 (m, 3H).

Example 4 4-(3-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole (Final Compound 1.11)

According to Scheme 4: A mixture of 2-(4-bromothiazol-2-yloxy)-6-methylpyridine (0.37 mmol, 100 mg), 3-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole (0.44 mmol, 92 mg), Pd (dppf) (37 μmol, 30 mg) and N-ethyl-N-isopropylpropan-2-amine (0.74 mmol, 0.13 mL) in dioxane/water (1:1, 2.5 mL) was stirred at 120° C. for 1 hour under microwave conditions. To complete the reaction, PdCl₂(dppf) (37 μmol, 30 mg) and 3-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole (0.44 mmol, 92 mg) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 120° C. for 1.5 hour under microwave conditions. The reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of celite and was washed with DCM. The organic phase was washed with water, was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude mixture was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using DCM/EtOH/NH₃ (100:0:0 to 93:6.4:0.6) as eluent to yield 4-(3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole (95 μmol, 26 mg, 26%) as an orange solid.

M.p.: 138-139° C.;

UPLC-MS: RT=0.85 min; MS m/z ES⁺=273;

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 7.84 (s, 1H), 7.80-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.14 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.02 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.01 (s, 1H), 2.54 (s, 3H), 2.47 (s, 3H).

Example 5 1-(4-(2-(6-Methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)ethanone (Final Compound 1.9) 1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide and 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide

According to Scheme 5, Step 1: Oxalyl chloride (63.9 mmol, 5.49 mL) followed by few drops of DMF were added to a solution of 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxylic acid and 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (31.9 mmol, 7.42 g) in DCM (128 mL). When no more gas was generated, the solution was evaporated to dryness and then the residue was diluted in DCM (150 mL). The resulting acid chloride solution was added to a solution of N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (35.1 mmol, 3.43 g) and Et₃N (80.0 mmol, 11.2 mL) in dry DCM (50 mL), under nitrogen, at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Then the reaction mixture was diluted with DCM and was washed with water, 1M HCl cold solution, 1M NaOH solution and brine. The combined organic phases were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to dryness. The crude mixture was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using cyclohexane/EtOAc (90:10 to 50:50) as eluent to yield a mixture of 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide and 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (25.8 mmol, 7.10 g, 81%) as a yellow oil.

UPLC-MS: RT=0.75 and 0.80 min; MS m/z ES⁺=276.

1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-4-iodo-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide

According to Scheme 5, Step 2: I₂ (7.99 mmol, 2.03 g) followed by diammonium cerium(IV) nitrate (16.0 mmol, 8.76 g) were added to a solution of 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (16.0 mmol, 4.40 g) in acetonitrile (80 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. Na₂SO₃ was added, the reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes and then, the reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of celite. The filtrate was extracted with EtOAc, the organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was evaporated to dryness. The crude mixture was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using cyclohexane/EtOAc (90:10 to 60:40) as eluent and another flash chromatography over C₁₈ using acetonitrile/water (20:80 to 50:50) to yield 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-4-iodo-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (4.09 mmol, 1.64 g, 26%) as a colorless oil.

UPLC-MS: RT=0.89 min; MS m/z ES⁺=402.

2-(6-Methylpyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)thiazole

According to Scheme 5, Step 3: At −78° C., under a nitrogen atmosphere, BuLi (3.69 mmol, 1.48 mL) was added dropwise to a solution of 2-(4-bromothiazol-2-yloxy)-6-methylpyridine (1.68 mmol, 455 mg) in Et₂O (17 mL). After 5 minutes of stirring at −78° C., 2-isopropoxy-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane (3.69 mmol, 0.75 mL) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes. The reaction was quenched with a NH₄Cl saturated aqueous solution and was extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic phases were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude mixture was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using cyclohexane/EtOAc (70:30 to 30:70) as eluent to yield 2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)thiazole (0.49 mmol, 157 mg, 29%).

UPLC-MS: RT=0.68 min; MS m/z ES⁺=236.

1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-4-(2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide

According to Scheme 5, Step 4: A mixture of 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-4-iodo-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (0.59 mmol, 238 mg), 2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)thiazole (0.49 mmol, 157 mg), PdCl₂(dppf) (49 μmol, 40 mg) and N-ethyl-N-isopropylpropan-2-amine (0.99 mmol, 0.17 mL) in dioxane/water (1:1, 3.3 mL) was stirred at 120° C. for 30 minutes under microwave conditions. The reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of celite and was washed with DCM. The organic phase was washed with water, was dried over MgSO₄, was filtered and was concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude mixture was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using cyclohexane/EtOAc (90:10 to 70:30) as eluent to yield 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-4-(2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (99 μmol, 46 mg, 15%) as an oil.

UPLC-MS: RT=1.06 min; MS m/z ES⁺=466.

1-(1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-4-(2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)methanone

According to Scheme 5, Step 5: Methylmagnesium bromide 3 M (148 μmol, 49 μL) was added dropwise at room temperature to a solution of 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-4-(2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (99 μmol, 46 mg) in THF (0.5 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc and with an aqueous solution of HCl 1 M. The aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, was filtered and was concentrated to yield 1-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-4-(2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)ethanone (0.10 mmol, 42 mg, 100%) as a beige solid. The mixture was used without further purification.

UPLC-MS: RT=1.26 min; MS m/z ES⁺=321.

1-(4-(2-(6-Methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)ethanone

According to Scheme 5, Step 6: The compound was synthesized with the same procedure as used in Example 2, Step 6 and was obtained as a white solid (19 μmol, 5.8 mg, 19%).

M.p.: 194-195° C.;

UPLC-MS: RT=0.94 min; MS m/z ES⁺=301;

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 8.26 (s, 1H), 8.09 (s, 1H), 7.91-7.87 (m, 1H), 7.21 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 2.60 (s, 3H), 2.51 (s, 3H).

Example 6 5-Chloro-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole (Final Compound 1.19) 4-(1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazol-2-amine

According to Scheme 6, Step 1: A solution of 1-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-bromoethanone (9.70 mmol, 3.00 g) and of thiourea (9.70 mmol, 739 mg) in acetone (20 mL) was stirred under reflux for 1 hour. After filtration and evaporation of the filtrate, the white solid was partitioned between EtOAc and a saturated solution of Na₂CO₃. The aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, was filtered and was concentrated to yield 4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazol-2-amine (8.14 mmol, 2.33 g) as an orange foam.

UPLC-MS: RT=0.57 min; MS m/z ES⁺=287.

4-(1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-chlorothiazol-2-amine

According to Scheme 6, Step 2: NCS (8.14 mmol, 1.09 g) was added to a solution of 4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazol-2-amine (8.14 mmol, 2.33 g) in acetonitrile (20 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred under reflux for 1.5 hour. After evaporation of the solvent, the crude residue was diluted in EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with water and brine, was dried over Na₂SO₄, was filtered and was concentrated. The crude mixture was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using DCM/MeOH (100:0 to 90:10) as eluent to yield 4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-chlorothiazol-2-amine (2.35 mmol, 755 mg, 29%).

1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-4-(2-bromo-5-chlorothiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazole

According to Scheme 6, Step 3: To a solution of 4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-chlorothiazol-2-amine (2.35 mmol, 755 mg) in acetonitrile (12 mL) were added tert-BuONO (2.59 mmol, 267 mg) and CuBr₂ (2.59 mmol, 578 mg) and the reaction mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 1 hour. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The crude mixture was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel using cyclohexane/EtOAc (90:10) as eluent to yield 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-4-(2-bromo-5-chlorothiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazole (1.04 mmol, 400 mg, 44%) as a brown oil.

UPLC-MS: RT=1.22 min; MS m/z ES⁺=384, 386.

2-(4-(1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-chlorothiazol-2-yloxy)pyridine

According to Scheme 6, Step 4: The compound was synthesized with the same procedure as used in Example 3, Step 2 and was obtained as a white solid (60 μmol, 24 mg, 20%).

UPLC-MS: RT=1.21 min; MS m/z ES⁺=399, 401.

5-Chloro-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole

According to Scheme 6, Step 5: The compound was synthesized with the same procedure as used in Example 1, Step 5 and was obtained as a white solid (20 mot, 5.6 mg, 40%).

UPLC-MS: RT=0.90 min; MS m/z ES⁺=279;

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 8.32-8.28 (m, 1H), 8.23 (bs, 2H), 7.82-7.78 (m, 1H), 7.18-7.14 (m, 2H).

Example 7 4-(1H-Pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole-5-carbonitrile (Final Compound 1.20) 3-(1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile

According to Scheme 7, Step 1: At −78° C., BuLi (23 mmol, 9.2 mL, 2.5M) was added dropwise to a solution of acetonitrile (21.1 mmol, 0.87 g) in THF (25 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at this temperature for 20 minutes and then ethyl 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (19.2 mmol, 5.00 g) in THF (25 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 1 hour and then allowed to warm up to room temperature and stirred for another 1 hour. The reaction was quenched with saturated NH₄Cl aqueous solution and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL×3). The combined organic phases were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified on combi-flash EtOAc/PE (1:15 to ˜1:5) to give 3-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile (13.1 mmol, 3.33 g, 68%).

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): δ 8.62 (s, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H), 7.32 (s, 1H), 6.97 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 5.36 (s, 1H), 4.51 (s, 1H), 3.79 (s, 1H).

2-Bromo-3-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile

According to Scheme 7, Step 2: A suspension of 3-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile (33.7 mmol, 8.60 g) and CuBr₂ (67.4 mmol, 15.0 g) in a mixture of THF/EtOAc/CHCl₃ (150 mL/20 mL/20 mL) was stirred at reflux for 3 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was filtered and the green filtrate was washed with water. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified on combi-flash EtOAc/PE (1:15 to ˜1:5) to give 2-bromo-3-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile (25.3 mmol, 8.44 g, 75%).

LC-MS: m/z ES⁺=334, 336.

2-Amino-4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole-5-carbonitrile

According to Scheme 7, Step 3: To a solution of 2-bromo-3-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile (25.3 mmol, 8.44 g) in EtOH (120 mL) was added thiourea (26.5 mmol, 2.06 g). The resulting mixture was stirred at reflux for 2 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica column on combi-flash EtOAc/PE (1:10 to ˜1:1) to give 2-amino-4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole-5-carbonitrile as a yellow solid (22.0 mmol, 6.83 g, 87%).

LC-MS: m/z ES⁺=312.

2-Bromo-4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole-5-carbonitrile

According to Scheme 7, Step 4: To a solution of 2-amino-4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole-5-carbonitrile (33.7 mmol, 10.5 g) in acetonitrile (100 mL) was added CuBr₂ (37.1 mmol, 8.28 g) and tert-BuONO (40.5 mmol, 4.17 g). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes under nitrogen atmosphere and then stirred at 70-80° C. for 1 hour. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica column on combi-flash EtOAc/PE (1:10 to ˜1:1) to give 2-bromo-4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole-5-carbonitrile (26.6 mmol, 9.99 g, 79%) as a brown solid.

LC-MS: m/z ES⁺=375, 377.

4-(1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole-5-carbonitrile

According to Scheme 7, Step 5: To the reaction mixture of pyridin-2-ol (1.05 mmol, 100 mg) and 2-bromo-4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole-5-carbonitrile (1.16 mmol, 434 mg) in dioxane (8 mL) was added Ag₂O (3.16 mmol, 733 mg). The resulting mixture was stirred at reflux overnight. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by preparative TLC PE/EtOAc (1:1) to give 4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole-5-carbonitrile (0.26 mmol, 153 mg, 37%) as a white solid.

LC-MS: m/z ES⁺=390.

4-(1H-Pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole-5-carbonitrile

According to Scheme 7, Step 6: A solution of 4-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole-5-carbonitrile (0.26 mmol, 153 mg) in TFA (5 mL) was stirred at 100° C. for 10 minutes under microwave conditions. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was diluted with EtOAc and was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of NaHCO₃. The organic phase was dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC to give 4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole-5-carbonitrile as a white solid (29 mg, 28%).

LC-MS: RT=2.79 min; MS m/z ES⁺=270;

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, MeOD): 8.36 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.99-7.97 (m, 2H), 7.36-7.33 (m, 1H), 7.27 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 2H).

The compounds in the following Table have been synthesized according to the same methods as previous examples 1 to 7, as denoted in the column denoted as “Exp. nr”. The compounds denoted with the asterisk have been exemplified in the Examples.

TABLE 1 Compounds prepared according to the Examples.

Co. nr. Exp nr.

X²—(A)_(m)

1-1 1

N

1-2* 1

N

1-3 1

N

1-4* 2

C—H

1-5 3

C—H

1-6* 3

C—H

1-7 3

C—H

1-8 3

C—H

1-9* 5

C—H

1-10 4

C—H

1-11* 4

C—H

1-12 3

C—H

1-13 3

C—H

1-14 4

C—H

1-15 4

C—H

1-16 4

C—H

1-17 5

C—H

1-18 3

C—H

1-19* 6

C—Cl

1-20* 7

C—CN

1-21 7

C—CN

TABLE 2 Physico-chemical data for some compounds (nd = not determined). Co. Nr M.p. (° C.) MW (theor) [MH⁺] RT (min) Method 1-1 165-166 258.30 259 2.24 LC-MS a) 1-2 245-247 313.26 314 0.91 UPLC-MS 1-3 nd 347.70 348 1.00 UPLC-MS 1-4 177 259.29 260 0.60 UPLC-MS 1-5 131-135 279.27 280 0.89 UPLC-MS 1-6 151-152 244.27 245 0.71 UPLC-MS 1-7 158-161 292.74 293, 295 0.88 UPLC-MS 1-8 160 276.29 277 0.79 UPLC-MS 1-9 194-195 300.34 301 0.94 UPLC-MS 1-10 176-178 258.30 259 0.80 UPLC-MS 1-11 138-139 272.33 273 0.85 UPLC-MS 1-12 nd 346.72 347 1.05 UPLC-MS 1-13 nd 312.27 313 0.94 UPLC-MS 1-14 nd 249.33 250 1.01 UPLC-MS 1-15 nd 279.27 280 0.89 UPLC-MS 1-16 nd 259.29 260 0.67 UPLC-MS 1-17 nd 321.30 322 1.00 UPLC-MS 1-18 nd 262.26 263 0.75 UPLC-MS 1-19 nd 278.72 279 0.90 UPLC-MS 1-20 nd 269.28 270 2.79 LC-MS b) 1-21 nd 303.73 304 2.97 LC-MS b)

TABLE 3 NMR-data Co. Nr NMR-data 1-1 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 7.98 (s, 1H), 7.61-7.42 (5H), 2.48 (s, 3H). 1-2 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 8.60 (s, 1H), 8.53-8.50 (dd, 1H), 8.19-8.12 (m, 1H), 7.59-7.53 (d, 1H), 7.52-7.44 (m, 1H). 1-3 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 8.61 (s, 1H), 8.22-8.16 (m, 1H), 7.64-7.57 (m, 2H). 1-4 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, MeOD): 8.78 (d, J = 5.0 Hz, 2H), 7.85 (s, 1H), 7.45-7.35 (m, 1H), 7.15 (s, 1H), 2.48 (s, 3H). 1-5 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 7.85 (s, 2H), 7.56-7.35 (m, 3H), 7.23 (s, 1H). 1-6 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 8.37-8.35 (m, 1H), 8.05-7.99 (m, 2H), 7.37-7.32 (m, 3H). 1-7 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, MeOD): 7.94-7.90 (m, 1H), 7.83 (s, 1H), 7.32 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 4.90 (s, 3H). 1-8 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, MeOD): 8.12 (dd, J = 1.5 Hz and 5 Hz, 1H), 7.85-7.77 (m, 2H), 7.38-7.32 (m, 1H), 7.09 (s, 1H), 2.46 (s, 3H). 1-9 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 8.26 (s, 1H), 8.09 (s, 1H), 7.91-7.87 (m, 1H), 7.21 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 2.60 (s, 3H), 2.51 (s, 3H). 1-10 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 7.96 (s, 2H), 7.84-7.80 (m, 1H), 7.16 (s, 1H), 7.14 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.02 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 2.54 (s, 3H). 1-11 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 7.84 (s, 1H), 7.80-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.14 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.02 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.01 (s, 1H), 2.54 (s, 3H), 2.47 (s, 3H). 1-12 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 8.34 (s, 1H), 8.11-8.05 (m, 1H), 7.54-7.48 (d, 1H), 7.43-7.39 (d, 1H), 7.38 (s, 1H). 1-13 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 8.40-8.35 (m, 1H), 8.32 (s, 1H), 8.07-7.98 (m, 1H), 7.36-7.34 (m, 1H), 7.33 (s, 1H), 7.30 (s, 1H). 1-14 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 8.00 (s, 1H), 7.80 (s, 1H), 7.00 (s, 1H), 4.85-4.75 (m, 1H), 2.05-1.95 (m, 2H), 1.70-1.20 (m, 8H). 1-15 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, MeOD): 7.90 (s, 1H), 7.52-7.48 (m, 1H), 7.22-7.18 (m, 1H), 7.12-7.08 (m, 2H), 7.00 (s, 1H). 1-16 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, MeOD): 8.45 (s, 1H), 8.40 (s, 1H), 8.00 (d, 2H), 7.25 (s, 1H), 2.60 (s, 3H). 1-17 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.95 (s, 1H), 7.90 (s, 1H), 7.32-7.28 (m, 1H), 6.92-6.88 (m, 2H), 2.60 (s, 3H). 1-18 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO): 8.50 (d, 1H), 8.05-7.95 (m, 2H), 7.00 (dd, 2H), 6.90 (s, 1H). 1-19 ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 8.32-8.28 (m, 1H), 8.23 (bs, 2H), 7.82-7.78 (m, 1H), 7.18-7.14 (m, 2H). 1-20 ¹H-NMR (400 MHz, MeOD): 8.36 (d, J = 6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.99-7.97 (m, 2H), 7.36-7.33 (m, 1H), 7.27 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H).

Pharmacology

The compounds provided in the present invention are positive allosteric modulators of mGluR4. As such, these compounds do not appear to bind to the orthosteric glutamate recognition site, and do not activate the mGluR4 by themselves. Instead, the response of mGluR4 to a concentration of glutamate or mGluR4 agonist is increased when compounds of Formula (I) are present. Compounds of Formula (I) are expected to have their effect at mGluR4 by virtue of their ability to enhance the function of the receptor.

mGluR4 Assay on HEK-Expressing Human mGluR4

The compounds of the present invention are positive allosteric modulators of mGluR4 receptor. Their activity was examined on recombinant human mGluR4a receptors by detecting changes in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, using the fluorescent Ca²⁺-sensitive dye Fluo4-(AM) and a Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR, Molecular Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif.).

Transfection and Cell Culture

The cDNA encoding the human metabotropic glutamate receptor (hmGluR4), (accession number NM_(—)000841.1, NCBI Nucleotide database browser), was subcloned into an expression vector containing also the hygromycin resistance gene. In parallel, the cDNA encoding a G protein allowing redirection of the activation signal to intracellular calcium flux was subcloned into a different expression vector containing also the puromycin resistance gene. Transfection of both these vectors into HEK293 cells with PolyFect reagent (Qiagen) according to supplier's protocol, and hygromycin and puromycin treatment allowed selection of antibiotic resistant cells which had integrated stably one or more copies of the plasmids. Positive cellular clones expressing hmGluR4 were identified in a functional assay measuring changes in calcium fluxes in response to glutamate or selective known mGluR4 orthosteric agonists and antagonists.

HEK-293 cells expressing hmGluR4 were maintained in media containing DMEM, dialyzed Fetal Calf Serum (10%), Glutamax™ (2 mM), Penicillin (100 units/mL), Streptomycin (100 μg/mL), Geneticin (100 μg/mL) and Hygromycin-B (40 μg/mL) and puromycin (1 μg/mL) at 37° C./5% CO₂.

Fluorescent Cell Based-Ca²⁺ Mobilization Assay

Human mGluR4 HEK-293 cells were plated out 24 hours prior to FLIPR³⁸⁴ assay in black-walled, clear-bottomed, poly-L-ornithine-coated 384-well plates at a density of 25,000 cells/well in a glutamine/glutamate free DMEM medium containing foetal bovine serum (10%), penicillin (100 units/mL) and streptomycin (100 μg/mL) at 37° C./5% CO₂.

On the day of the assay, the medium was aspirated and the cells were loaded with a 3 μM solution of Fluo-4-AM (LuBioScience, Lucerne, Switzerland) in 0.03% pluronic acid. After 1 hour at 37° C./5% CO₂, the non incorporated dye was removed by washing cell plate with the assay buffer and the cells were left in the dark at room temperature for six hours before testing. All assays were performed in a pH 7.4 buffered-solution containing 20 mM HEPES, 143 mM NaCl, 6 mM KCl, 1 mM MgSO₄, 1 mM CaCl₂, 0.125 mM sulfapyrazone and 0.1% glucose.

After 10 s of basal fluorescence recording, various concentrations of the compounds of the invention were added to the cells. Changes in fluorescence levels were first monitored for 180 s in order to detect any agonist activity of the compounds. Then the cells were stimulated by an EC₂₅ glutamate concentration for an additional 110 s in order to measure enhancing activities of the compounds of the invention. EC₂₅ glutamate concentration is the concentration giving 25% of the maximal glutamate response.

The concentration-response curves of representative compounds of the present invention were generated using the Prism GraphPad software (Graph Pad Inc, San Diego, USA). The curves were fitted to a four-parameter logistic equation:

(Y=Bottom+(Top-Bottom)/(1+10̂((Log EC ₅₀ −X)*Hill Slope)

allowing the determination of EC₅₀ values.

The Table 4 below represents the mean EC₅₀ obtained from at least three independent experiments of selected molecules performed in duplicate.

TABLE 4 Activity data for selected compounds Compound no. Ca²⁺ Flux* 1-1 + 1-2 +++ 1-5 ++ 1-7 +++ 1-10 +++ 1-18 ++ 1-21 +++ *Table legend: (+): 1 μM < EC₅₀ < 10 μM (++): 100 nM < EC₅₀ < 1 μM (+++): EC₅₀ < 100 nM

The results shown in Table 4 demonstrate that the compounds described in the present invention are positive allosteric modulators of human mGluR4 receptors. These compounds do not have activity by themselves but they rather increase the functional activity and/or maximal efficacy of glutamate or mGluR4 agonist.

Thus, the positive allosteric modulators provided in the present invention are expected to increase the effectiveness of glutamate or mGluR4 agonists at mGluR4 receptor. Therefore, these positive allosteric modulators are expected to be useful for treatment of various neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction described to be treated herein and others that can be treated by such positive allosteric modulators.

The compounds of the invention can be administered either alone, or in combination with other pharmaceutical agents effective in the treatment of conditions mentioned above.

FORMULATION EXAMPLES

Typical examples of recipes for the formulation of the invention are as follows:

1. Tablets

Active ingredient 5 to 50 mg Di-calcium phosphate 20 mg Lactose 30 mg Talcum 10 mg Magnesium stearate 5 mg Potato starch ad 200 mg

In this Example, active ingredient can be replaced by the same amount of any of the compounds according to the present invention, in particular by the same amount of any of the exemplified compounds.

2. Suspension

An aqueous suspension is prepared for oral administration so that each 1 milliliter contains 1 to 5 mg of one of the active compounds, 50 mg of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, 1 mg of sodium benzoate, 500 mg of sorbitol and water ad 1 mL.

3. Injectable

A parenteral composition is prepared by stirring 1.5% by weight of active ingredient of the invention in 10% by volume propylene glycol and water.

4. Ointment

Active ingredient 5 to 1000 mg Stearyl alcohol 3 g Lanoline 5 g White petroleum 15 g Water ad 100 g

In this Example, active ingredient can be replaced with the same amount of any of the compounds according to the present invention, in particular by the same amount of any of the exemplified compounds.

Reasonable variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the scope of the invention. It will be obvious that the thus described invention may be varied in many ways by those skilled in the art. 

1. A compound according to Formula (I) wherein:

a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof and an N-oxide form thereof, wherein: X¹ and X² are each independently selected from the group of C, N, S and C═C representing a 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl ring which may further be substituted by radicals (A)_(m), and when X¹ is N, X² can not be C═C and when X² is N, X¹ can not be C═C; m is an integer ranging from 0 to 2; (A)_(m) radicals are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —OH, —NO₂, —CF₃, —SH, —NH₂ and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkynyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkenyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₃-C₈)cycloalkenyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR¹, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR¹, —NR¹(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR², —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NR¹—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-OR¹, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-NR¹R², —(C₃-C₆)alkynylene-OR¹, —(C₃-C₆)alkynylene-NR¹R², —(C₃-C₆)alkenylene-OR¹, —(C₃-C₆)alkenyl ene-NR¹R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S—R¹, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R¹, —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R¹, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R¹, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹R², —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR¹R², —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹—S(═O)₂R², —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR¹—S(═O)₂R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²—S(═O)₂R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR¹R², —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹C(═O)—R², —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR¹C(═O)—R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²C(═O)—R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R¹, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R¹, —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR¹, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R¹ and —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R²; R¹, R² and R³ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; Any two radicals of R (R¹, R² or R³) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; n is an integer ranging from 1 to 2; (B)_(n) radicals are each independently selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —OH, —NO₂, —CF₃, —SH, —NH₂ and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkynyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkenyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₃-C₈)cycloalkenyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyano alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —NR⁴(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁵, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NR⁴—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cyclo alkyl , —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-OR⁴, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —(C₃-C₆)alkynylene-OR⁴, —(C₃-C₆)alkynylene-NR⁴R⁵, —(C₃-C₆)alkenylene-OR⁴, —(C₃-C₆)alkenylene-NR⁴R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S—R⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴—S(═O)₂R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴—S(═O)₂R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵—S(═O)₂R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴C(═O)—R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴C(═O)—R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵C(═O)—R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR⁴, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴ and —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁵; R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, Any two radicals of R(R⁴, R⁵ or R⁶) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; M is selected from an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered ring selected from the group of aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic and cycloalkyl; P is selected from the group of a hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-R⁷, —(C₀-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁷R⁸, —(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁷, —(C₂-C₆)alkylene-SR⁷, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁷, —(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S(O)—R⁷, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)NR⁷R⁸, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁷C(═O)R⁸ and —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(O)₂—R⁷; R⁷ and R⁸ are selected from the group of a hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyano alkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; with the proviso (i) that: M can not be an azaadamantanyl; and with the proviso (ii) that: M can not be 3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazine.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 having the Formula (II):

a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof and an N-oxide form thereof, wherein: X² is selected from the group of C and N representing a 5 membered heteroaryl ring which may further be substituted by radical (A)_(m) where: m is an integer ranging from 0 to 1; (A)_(m) radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —OH, —CF₃, —SH, —NH₂ and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkynyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkenyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₃-C₈)cycloalkenyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-hetero aryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR¹, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR¹, —NR¹(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR², —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NR¹—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-OR¹, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-NR¹R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S—R¹, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R¹, —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R¹, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R¹, —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹R², —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR¹R², —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹—S(═O)₂R², —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR¹—S(═O)₂R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²—S(═O)₂R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR¹R², —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹C(═O)—R², —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR C(═O)—R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²C(═O)—R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R¹, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R¹ and —NR¹—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R²; R¹, R² and R³ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; Any two radicals of R (R¹, R² or R³) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; B radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, -01-1, —CF₃, —SH, —NH₂ and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkynyl, —(C₂-C₆)alkenyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₃-C₈)cyclo alkenyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyano alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-hetero aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —NR⁴(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁵, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NR⁴—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)allyl ene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-OR⁴, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S—R⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-S—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-S(═O)₂NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴—S(═O)₂R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴—S(═O)₂R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵—S(═O)₂R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C (═O)—NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴C(═O)—R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴C(═O)—R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵C(═O)—R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴ and —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁵; R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, hetero aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; Any two radicals of R (R⁴, R⁵ or R⁶) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; and with the proviso (i) that: M can not be an azaadamantanyl.
 3. A compound according to claim 2 having the Formula (III):

a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof and an N-oxide form thereof, wherein: M is selected from an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered ring selected from the group of aryl, heteroaryl and cycloalkyl.
 4. A compound according to claim 3 having the Formula (III) wherein: A radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —CF₃, and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR¹, —NR¹(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹R², —NR¹—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR¹R² and —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R¹; R¹ and R² are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heterocycle, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; Any two radicals of R (R¹ or R²) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; B radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —CF₃ and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —NR¹ (C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁴R⁵ and —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴; R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; and Any two radicals of R (R⁴ or R⁵) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring.
 5. A compound according to claim 4 having the Formula (III) wherein: A radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen and —CN; B radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CF₃ and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, and —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴; and R⁴ is —(C₁-C₆)alkyl.
 6. A compound according to claim 2 having the Formula (IV):


7. A compound according to claim 6 having the Formula (IV) wherein: B radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, —CF₃ and an optionally substituted radical —(C₁-C₆)alkyl; and M is selected from an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered ring selected from the group of aryl and heteroaryl.
 8. A compound according to claim 1 having the Formula (V):

a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof and an N-oxide form thereof, wherein: X¹ is selected from the group of C and N, which may further be substituted by radicals (A)_(m) where: m is an integer ranging from 0 to 1; (A)_(m) radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —CF₃, and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)halo alkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyano alkyl, aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR¹, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl-OR¹, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl-NR¹R², —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR²R³, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR¹C(═O)—R², —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R¹, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR¹ and —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R¹; R¹, R² and R³ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; Any two radicals of R (R¹, R² or R³) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; B radical is selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, —CN, —CF₃, and an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)halo alkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyano alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-hetero aryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycle, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁴, —NR⁴(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OR⁵, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —NR⁴—(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)haloalkylene-OR⁴, —(C₁-C₆)halo alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁴R⁵, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-NR⁵R⁶, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R⁴, —NR⁴—(C₂-C₆)alkylene-OC(═O)—R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR⁴, —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—OR⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—NR⁴R⁵, —(C₀-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴, —O—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁴ and —NR⁴—(C₁-C₆)alkylene-C(═O)—R⁵; R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ are each independently hydrogen or an optionally substituted radical selected from the group of —(C₁-C₆)haloalkyl, —(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —(C₁-C₆)cyanoalkyl, —(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —(C₄-C₁₀)alkylene-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-heteroaryl, aryl, heterocycle and —(C₁-C₆)alkylene-aryl; and Any two radicals of R (R⁴, R⁵ or R⁶) may be taken together to form an optionally substituted 3 to 10 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring.
 9. A compound according to claims 1 to 8, which can exist as optical isomers, wherein said compound is either the racemic mixture or one or both of the individual optical isomers.
 10. A compound according to claims 1 to 9, wherein said compound is selected from: 3-(3-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-phenoxy-1,2,4-thiadiazole 5-(Pyridin-2-yloxy)-3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole 5-(6-Chloropyridin-2-yloxy)-3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole 4-(5-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)thiazole 2-(2,6-Difluorophenoxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole 4-(1H-Pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole 2-(6-Chloropyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole 2-(3-Fluoropyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole 1-(4-(2-(6-Methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)ethanone 2-(6-Methylpyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole 4-(3-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole 2-(6-Chloropyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole 2-(Pyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole 2-(Cyclohexyloxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole 2-(2,4-Difluorophenoxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole 2-(6-Methylpyrazin-2-yloxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole 1-(442-(2,4-Difluorophenoxy)thiazol-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)ethanone 2-(5-Fluoropyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole 5-Chloro-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole 4-(1H-Pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)thiazole-5-carbonitrile 2-(6-Chloropyridin-2-yloxy)-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)thiazole-5-carbonitrile and a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof, a stereochemically isomeric form thereof and an N-oxide form thereof.
 11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claims 1 to 10 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or excipient.
 12. A method of treating or preventing a condition in a mammal, including a human, the treatment or prevention of which is affected or facilitated by the neuromodulatory effect of mGluR4 allosteric modulators, comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 13. A method of treating or preventing a condition in a mammal, including a human, the treatment or prevention of which is affected or facilitated by the neuromodulatory effect of mGluR4 positive allosteric modulators, comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 14. A method useful for treating or preventing central nervous system disorders selected from the group consisting of: addiction, tolerance or dependence; affective disorders, such as depression and anxiety; psychiatric disease such as psychotic disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder; Parkinson's disease, memory impairment, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, delirium tremens, other forms of neurodegeneration, neurotoxicity, and ischemia, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 15. A method useful for treating or preventing central nervous system disorders selected from the group consisting of: Parkinson's disease and movement disorders such as bradykinesia, rigidity, dystonia, drug-induced parkinsonism, dyskinesia, tardive dyskinesia, L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia, dopamine agonist-induced dyskinesia, hyperkinetic movement disorders, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, resting tremor, action tremor, akinesia, akinetic-rigid syndrome, akathisia, athetosis, asterixis, tics, postural instability, postencephalitic parkinsonism, muscle rigidity, chorea and choreaform movements, spasticity, myoclonus, hemiballismus, progressive supranuclear palsy, restless legs syndrome, and periodic limb movement disorder, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 16. A method of claim 15 comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to 11 in combination with an agent selected from the group consisting of: levodopa, levodopa with a selective extracerebral decarboxylase inhibitor, carbidopa, entacapone, a COMT inhibitor or a dopamine agonist.
 17. A method useful for treating or preventing central nervous system disorders selected from the group consisting of: cognitive disorders such as delirium, substance-induced persisting delirium, dementia, dementia due to HIV disease, dementia due to Huntington's disease, dementia due to Parkinson's disease, Parkinsonian-ALS demential complex, dementia of the Alzheimer's type, substance-induced persisting dementia, and mild cognitive impairment, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 18. A method useful for treating affective disorders selected from the group consisting of: anxiety, Agoraphobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Social Phobia, Other Phobias, Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder, and acute stress disorder, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 19. A method useful for treating or preventing central nervous system disorders selected from the group consisting of: mood disorders, Bipolar Disorders (I & II), Cyclothymic Disorder, Depression, Dysthymic Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Substance-Induced Mood Disorder, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 20. A method useful for treating or preventing neurological disorders selected from the group consisting of: neurodegeneration, neurotoxicity or ischemia such as stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral hypoxia, intracranial hematoma, Parkinson's disease, memory impairment, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and delirium tremens, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 21. A method useful for treating or preventing inflammatory central nervous system disorders selected from the group consisting of: multiple sclerosis forms such as benign multiple sclerosis, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, primary progressive multiple sclerosis, and progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 22. A method useful for treating or preventing migraine, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 23. A method useful for treating or preventing epilepsy and tremor, temporal lobe epilepsy, epilepsy secondary to another disease or injury such as chronic encephalitis, traumatic brain injury, stroke or ischemia, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 24. A method useful for treating or preventing inflammation and/or neurodegeneration resulting from traumatic brain injury, stroke, ischemia, spinal cord injury, cerebral hypoxia or intracranial hematoma, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 25. A method useful for treating or preventing sensory, motor or cognitive symptoms resulting from traumatic brain injury, stroke, ischemia, spinal cord injury, cerebral hypoxia or intracranial hematoma, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 26. A method useful for treating medulloblastomas, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 27. A method useful for treating or preventing inflammatory or neuropathic pain, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 28. A method useful for treating, preventing, ameliorating, controlling or reducing the risk of various metabolic disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment, prevention, amelioration, control or reduction of risk, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 29. A method useful for treating or preventing type 2 diabetes, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 30. A method useful for treating or preventing diseases or disorders of the retina, retinal degeneration or macular degeneration, comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 31. A method useful for treating or preventing diseases or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract including gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), lower esophageal sphincter diseases or disorders, diseases of gastrointestinal motility, colitis, Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), comprising administering to a mammalian patient in need of such treatment or prevention, an effective amount of a compound/composition according to claims 1 to
 11. 32. Use of a compound according to claims 1 to 10 in the manufacture of a medicament for a use as defined in any of claims 12 to
 31. 33. Use of a compound according to claims 1 to 10 to prepare a tracer for imaging a metabotropic glutamate receptor.
 34. Use of a compound according to claims 1 to 10 as a taste agent, flavour agent, flavour enhancing agent or a food or beverage additive.
 35. A compound according to claims 1 to 10 or a composition according to claim 11 for a use in a treatment or prevention as defined in any of claims 12 to 17, 19 to 25, 27 and 29 to
 31. 36. A compound according to claims 1 to 10 or a composition according to claim 11 for a use as defined in claim
 28. 37. A compound according to claims 1 to 10 or a composition according to claim 11 for a use in a treatment as defined in any of claims 18 and
 26. 